After a subdued start to the year, the market for short-staple fiber machinery and components gained momentum in the course of 2013. Spinning mills’ margins continued to develop favorably, and this stimulated customers’ willingness to invest. This positive trend was broad-based in regional terms and apparent in a large number of national markets. Following a strong initial six months, demand stabilized in the second half of the year, but remained at a pleasingly high level.

The positive trend in order intake and sales in 2013 underlines that Rieter is on the right track with the innovation and expansion strategy it has been implementing since 2012. Demand for the company’s offering, expanded by major product launches, has been very good in both our traditional and new markets.

Rieter has further developed its already strong market position with the implementation of the large-scale investment program in 2012/2013 aimed at further growth and focusing on expansion in Asia, innovation and process improvements. With its product range centering on specific markets and its new plants the company is ideally positioned with a worldwide operating network.

Spinning mills in all major markets are increasingly placing their confidence in machinery and components which enable a high degree of automation to be achieved in conjunction with higher productivity and yarn quality with lower energy consumption. As the sole global supplier of integrated systems for all four spinning processes, Rieter can optimize the entire spinning operation in line with customers’ specific needs. This is a crucial and lasting competitive advantage.

Sales

The sales trend at Rieter in 2013 was also very good. The figure of 1 035.3 million CHF was 17% higher than a year earlier. All regions recorded increases, with only Europe posting slightly lower sales.

Expanded and modernized manufacturing capacity enabled Rieter to process orders promptly and post a 17% increase in sales in the second half of the year compared with the first six months. Spun Yarn Systems reported sales of 857.8 million CHF in 2013, equivalent to an increase of 18% compared with the previous year. Premium Textile Components posted a 10% increase in sales to third parties, to a figure of 177.5 million CHF.

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Rieter